The Witcher 3: A Taste of Blood & Wine

The Witcher 3 is one of those games you just cannot put down for very long. I have finished the main campaign and never started another play through as there was just too much to do. Every few weeks it was back in the rotation and I would lose hours upon hours in the open world masterpiece.

Coming soon is the crowning installment in Geralt's story, the Blood and Wine expansion. Slated for release in the next few weeks/months. (Date TBC).

Blood and Wine will introduce you to a completely new map, main and side quests and a new direction for Geralt and possibly some of his most trusted allies.

Geralt of Rivia's services are once again required. This time in Toussaint, a far off remote land untouched by war but hiding a dark beast that is terrorizing the kingdom.

Toussaint is a land of rolling hills and vineyards. A stark contrast to Novigrad. It is beautiful, light and happy with a distinct French influence. The attitude of the people shows their lands are free of war. There are children playing in the streets, stories being read and the dress gives everything a noble look.

Behind all the beauty lies a dark secret. You will need to investigate a series of brutal murders to uncover who is involved, how you will find them and who is next on their list.

Blood and Wine is a true expansion pack. It brings with it:

A new region never before seen in the Witcher series.

Over 90 new quests.

Over 40 new points of Interest.

Over 30 hours of new adventures.

Dynamic Point of Interest system.

Main POI in area will affect adjacent POI i.e. killing bandits in main hideout will affect the number in surrounding camps.

14,000 lines of new dialogue.

100 Individual Pieces of Armour (including new Witcher sets)

More than 30 new weapons.

More than 20 new Monsters

New game + level cap increased to 100

Every piece of Witcher armour you have can have its colour changed using dye found or purchased within Toussaint.

Mutations

12 new game changing abilities

Obtainable through new research mechanics

Greatly changes the way you do battle, if you wish it too.

New "Skellige" Gwent deck.

Greatly redesigned user interface.

A much easier to navigate and organise UI

From CD Projekt Red

"Blood and Wine is not a set of new quests and question marks on a map. It's an entire world we created to be the stage for Geralt's final adventure."

There is one thing left to touch on. As payment for your services you are given a house. Not just any old house, but a vineyard. Which is yours to do with as you please. You can upgrade it, have places to hang paintings, show off your armour that has been collected. It may even serve as a retreat for some old friends to drop by.

Blood and Wine is shaping up to be a perfect ending to a brilliant series. A very special thanks goes to CD Projekt Red and Bandai Namco for allowing me a couple of hours to run around Toussaint. Release date is yet to be made official. Check back here for any updates.

Don't forget to check out our Podcast this week to hear excerpts from our interview with Jamie, Lead Animator at CD Projekt Red

Pat (Snoogan512)

Thanks for reading and as always comments and feedback are welcome, we even encourage it. While you're at it, check out our Facebook Page, YouTube channel and weekly Podcast for all things gaming related or hit us up online, we are always up for a game or a chat.